A lifeguard at a public swimming pool in Melbourne has been brutally beaten by a gang of Afghan teenagers in a shocking attack in front of families and children.
The 19-year-old was attacked while on duty at Casey Aquatic and Recreation Centre in Narre Warren just before 6pm on Saturday evening, leaving him requiring hospital treatment for upper body injuries.
The large group of male youths set upon the lifeguard after he told one of them to stop doing flips into the pool dangerous close to other swimmers, including children, Nine News reported.
He was then headbutted, kicked and punched, leaving his lifeguard uniform splattered with blood. The group of at least nine then fled the scene and are still on the run.
Locals said the attackers were teenagers of Afghani background who were known for making trouble in the area.
“To the Afghani teenagers who bashed a helpless lifeguard at Casey ARC today just for asking you to follow simple rules: Just shows the nature of your upbringing,” wrote one resident who witnessed the attack in a local Facebook group.
“You create conflicts in your country and come here seeking refuge, only to create such problems for the country that accepted you.”
“I have witnessed them at the Cranbourne pools abusing and trying to intimidate an elderly woman because she entered the same pool as them,” wrote another.
“From what we have seen with our own eyes some of the Afghan kids are absolutely putrid,” said a third.
“Walking through shopping centres with machetes, walking the streets of Cranbourne, Clyde and Narre Warren with machetes. Robbing stores and thinking it’s hilarious.”
Just five days ago Casey ARC put out a post on social media asking visitors to treat lifeguards and swim teachers with respect.
According to the 2021 Census, 3.5% of Narre Warren’s population was born in Afghanistan.
Header image: Left, video of the attack. Right, the lifeguard’s blood-soaked shirt (Nine News).
